Construction underway for rebirth of Opera House

Visitors leave the front of the newly named Peabody Opera House after a dedication ceremony in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

The Kiel Opera now named the Peabody Opera House sits empty after a dedication ceremony in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

St. Louis Blues Chairman David Checketts (L standing) and Peabody Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Boyce (R standing) pull down a curtain to reveal the new name of the Peabody Opera House during a dedication ceremony in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

St. Louis Blues Chairman David Checketts makes comments during a dedication ceremony of the newly named Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

David Checketts, chairman of the St. Louis Blues makes opening comments during the dedication ceremony of thePeabody Opera House in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

Peabody Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Boyce (L) shakes the hand of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay after a naming dedication of the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt

Kiel Opera House to reopen under new name in St. Louis

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (L) talks with St. Louis Blues Chairman David Checketts on the stage of the newly named Peabody Opera House after a dedication ceremony in St. Louis on July 12, 2010. The facility named the Kiel Opera House since its completion in 1934 has been closed for over 20 years and now will be renovated into a performing arts and cultural center. The $78.7 million redevelopment of the historic building will be complete by fall of 2011. UPI/BIll Greenblatt